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The influence of bearing cycles on olive oil production response to irrigation

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Abstract

Water requirements for olive oil production and the effects of deficit irrigation were determined while considering the relative fruit loads on trees occurring as a result of biennial bearing cycles. Two Israeli olive (Olea europaea) varieties (Barnea and Souri) were evaluated for growth and yield parameters in a 4-year field study where five relative irrigation rates were applied. Increasing irrigation increased stem water potential, vegetative growth, and olive fruit yield with the increases tapering off at application rates reaching 75–100% of potential crop evapotranspiration. Tree water status, growth, and fruit characteristic parameters were highly affected by both fruit load and by irrigation level. Oil yield increases as a function of increased irrigation were initiated for each cultivar only following an ‘off’ season when the treatments lead to higher vegetative growth. The increased oil yields as a function of increased irrigation were primarily explained by higher tree-scale capacity for carrying fruit, especially as irrigation alleviated measureable water stress. For the Barnea cultivar in ‘on’ years, a secondary effect due to increased oil per fruit as irrigation increased was evident, particularly at the higher application rates.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by The Chief Scientist of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (project #303-0300), the Netafim Company, and The USDA-ARS via The Middle East Regional Irrigation Management Information System (MERIMIS). Thanks to TZ”ABAR K”AMA for providing the orchard and orchard management support and to Professor Shimon Lavee for consultation and advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Research Center, 85280, Mobile Post Negev II, Israel

    A. Ben-Gal, U. Yermiyahu & E. Presnov

  2. Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Gilat Research Center, 85280, Mobile Post Negev II, Israel

    I. Zipori & A. Dag

  3. The Extension Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bet-Dagan, Israel

    E. Hanoch

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  1. A. Ben-Gal
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  2. U. Yermiyahu
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  3. I. Zipori
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  4. E. Presnov
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  5. E. Hanoch
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  6. A. Dag
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Correspondence to A. Ben-Gal.

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Communicated by E. Fereres.

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Ben-Gal, A., Yermiyahu, U., Zipori, I. et al. The influence of bearing cycles on olive oil production response to irrigation. Irrig Sci 29, 253–263 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-010-0237-1

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